Tetris Didn't Triumph at The Game Awards — An Additional Classification Could Fix That
Whenever a prominent awards ceremony nears, you'll find a clamor to include fresh award types to acknowledge underappreciated efforts and delight the spirits of enthusiasts dedicated to specific genres.
My colleague made the case for a horror game category. It would be amazing. So would board games, representing a passionate advocate's mission. Yet I need to apologize in advance for pushing forward just as with other single-minded supporters, I have a cast-iron argument backing this proposal stands as crucial above others. The demand is this: It's essential to create a classification for brain-teasing titles.
The Genre Classification Challenge
Organizing artistic expressions defies precise measurement; opinions vary greatly, and inevitably generate discussions concluding with vague boundaries. It's understandable that movie academies steer clear of genre categories. But it is an essential concession for the industry of gaming, that demonstrate such variety it's challenging to consider them one unified medium.
For comprehensive acknowledgment of achievement in video games to gain proper attention, and to ensure all game types to compete fairly, classification by type becomes crucial.
Current Gaming Award Categories
The major gaming awards currently feature genre categories for Action, Action/Adventure, RPG experiences, Combat games, Simulation and strategy titles, plus athletic and racing experiences. Collectively, these classifications effectively encompass numerous genres, making space possible accommodating various experiences.
This doesn't apply to logic-based experiences. No suitable classification appears to accommodate them. Consider three of recent excellent titles, all very different: the architectural riddles in a particular game, the pulse-pounding block-matching in a different title, engaging interpersonal challenges of a third title. Which classification works between these six categories? Unfortunately, nowhere.
Recognition Challenges
There are dozens excellent brain-teasers launched regularly that have no home during gaming ceremonies, if they accidentally match classification types such as Handheld titles, Virtual reality experiences, or the intensely contested small studio competitions.
- An iconic brain-teaser wasn’t nominated in any category during that awards season
- Another creative title missed out in 2019
- Popular arranging title received no acknowledgment in 2021
- Only a few logic titles barely qualified for small studio or handheld classifications
Importance of Logic Titles
Commonly they're compact experiences, but the art of the puzzle game carries substantial weight. Iconic mobile puzzle games stand as most popular titles in the world continuing this trend for over a decade.
The legendary block-stacking game challenges well-known building titles competing to become highest-selling title ever; it’s also in the running for best game of all time. Brain-teasers form essential building blocks to the art of video games, and they are in conversation with almost every other genre.
Recommendation and Reasoning
Puzzle games wouldn’t have this problem. You could fill five nominees with fascinating, diverse, deserving games annually without trouble — perhaps, with difficulty, since numerous excellent so many good games out.
To emphasize again, these include experiences without proper classification in important events. Logic title developers function at the hard edge game development, creating some of most fundamental forms within interactive entertainment. Just like movie stunt professionals, they deserve recognition. Let’s not keep them waiting generations.